tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779097004556285780.post4392867593653683624..comments2023-12-09T15:38:44.490-08:00Comments on Jim Lane's Cinedrome: Films of Henry Hathaway: Down to the Sea in ShipsJim Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00981196894914646656noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779097004556285780.post-35396510026734078802013-02-28T10:06:45.778-08:002013-02-28T10:06:45.778-08:00Welcome, Judy! And thanks for your kind words abou...Welcome, Judy! And thanks for your kind words about my post. If you saw <i>Down to the Sea</i> at age 9, I'm not surprised that you developed a huge crush on Dean Stockwell. (By the way, fun trivia fact: Did you know that Dean's dad Harry was the voice of the Prince in Disney's <i>Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs</i>?)<br /><br />However, I'm afraid your memory plays you false about the iceberg scene. Jed never goes over the side to tend to repairs in that scene. Both Capt. Joy and Mr. Lunceford go over, while Jed watches anxiously as the ship rolls back and forth, threatening to crush them -- a real "heartdropping moment" for Jed that he no doubt conveyed vividly to you.Jim Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00981196894914646656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779097004556285780.post-13522422614397672272013-02-28T09:46:15.005-08:002013-02-28T09:46:15.005-08:00I saw this movie when it was new and I was nine. I...I saw this movie when it was new and I was nine. It was thrilling to me....leading to my love of sailing ships ....but more so my "crush" on Dean Stockwell. When he was down on the side of the ship and it rolled that way I almost had a heart attack !!! I think that was my first real heartdropping moment in a movie. Needless to say, I also saw<br /> The Boy With Green Hair ( although I did not 'get it') and liked Cattle Drive very much.<br />Down to the Sea in Ships is a film that I had not though about in years but it was a good one.......Thanks for the article, It was very informative.Judy Jnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779097004556285780.post-2589462121968667952013-02-19T04:29:39.557-08:002013-02-19T04:29:39.557-08:00Yes, Jim, I noticed that too. It's definitely ...Yes, Jim, I noticed that too. It's definitely the same melody as "How the West Was Won". Composers in those days did tend to recycle bits of their old scores into their new ones. Maybe to save time.<br /><br />I should point out here to readers who may not have the CD and are thinking of getting it, that the CD with the booklet in it is on the SAE (Screen Archives Entertainment) label and not on the import version that can be found on amazon. The import version has the same soundtrack music, but I doubt that it will have the same booklet. <br /><br />Best Wishes from<br />David.<br /><br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779097004556285780.post-63095762884096499842013-02-19T02:07:37.771-08:002013-02-19T02:07:37.771-08:00David, I too have that Down to the Sea/12 O'Cl...David, I too have that <i>Down to the Sea</i>/<i>12 O'Clock High</i> CD (naturally!), and I used information from Jon Burlingame's booklet notes in my post. <br /><br />An interesting thing I discovered about those lyrics to "Old Father Briny": In the "Later Source Version", which in the movie is heard indistinctly in the background, being sung by drinking men in the next room, there's a passage that goes:<br /><br /><i>John McGee, the Captain of the Mandy Lee<br />Sailed the foam for thirty years or more...</i><br /><br />Hearing it clearly for the first time on the CD, I wracked my brain trying to figure out why it sounded so familiar to me. Then it hit me: that little snatch of melody is what Alfred Newman later recycled into the main theme for <i>How the West Was Won</i> (1963)!Jim Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00981196894914646656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779097004556285780.post-17736396283464881942013-02-19T01:18:09.848-08:002013-02-19T01:18:09.848-08:00Well, there's a coincidence, Jim. I also under...Well, there's a coincidence, Jim. I also understand that the Region 2 version has been remastered and restored, so it should look and sound good. I don't know if that's the case with the Region 1 DVD, but I've heard no complaints about it, so Fox have probably used the same excellent transfer that can be seen on the Spanish DVD. <br /><br />In recent months, I have also obtained the soundtrack score by Alfred Newman on a CD, which can also be found on amazon, that also has an excellent booklet containing stills from the film, as well as interesting information on it and the complete lyrics to "Old Father Briny". <br /><br />The CD also contains the score for "Twelve O'Clock High" by Alfred Newman, which in no way appeals to me as much as "Down To The Sea In Ships" does.<br /><br />Best Wishes from<br />David. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779097004556285780.post-72153024402402691942013-02-19T01:04:09.614-08:002013-02-19T01:04:09.614-08:00Welcome again, David, and thanks for the terrific ...Welcome again, David, and thanks for the terrific news! Needless to say, I wasted no time ordering my own copy from Amazon (though I'll no doubt still thread up my perfect 16mm print from time to time). <br /><br />And as for that release date for the Region 2 DVD in the UK -- would you believe it, March 11 is my birthday!Jim Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00981196894914646656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779097004556285780.post-25940376463328783242013-02-19T00:32:56.247-08:002013-02-19T00:32:56.247-08:00Hi, Jim,
Just to let you and everyone know that &q...Hi, Jim,<br />Just to let you and everyone know that "Down The The Sea In Ships" has now been released on a Region 1 DVD in the U.S. and will also be released on a Region 2 DVD in the U.K. on March 11th, 2013. <br /><br />Here below are the two amazon links to the DVDs:<br /><br />http://www.amazon.com/Down-Sea-Ships-Richard-Widmark/dp/B00A1AU64E/ref=sr_1_2?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1355733489&sr=1-2&keywords=down+to+the+sea+in+ships+1949<br /><br />http://www.amazon.co.uk/Down-Sea-Ships-Richard-Widmark/dp/B008RXJN5A/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1361261988&sr=1-1<br /><br />David Rayner,<br />Stoke-on-Trent, <br />England,<br />United Kingdom. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779097004556285780.post-42380333618238073372012-02-16T15:51:38.487-08:002012-02-16T15:51:38.487-08:00Thanks, David, and welcome; yours is (to my knowle...Thanks, David, and welcome; yours is (to my knowledge) the first comment here from Across the Pond. Needless to say, <i>Down to the Sea</i> is one of <i>my</i> favorite movies too; in addition to the DVD from <a href="http://www.lovingtheclassics.com/" rel="nofollow">Loving the Classics</a> that I used to illustrate my post, I have an absolutely flawless 16mm print -- not a scratch, splice or line on it from first frame to last. I do wish Fox would release a Region 1 DVD, preferably with a good commentary and plenty of juicy supplements.<br /><br />As for Dean Stockwell, Hathaway did mention one weakness in his acting. There was one scene Dean's mother kept asking Hathaway to put off shooting; finally he asked her why, and the truth came out: the boy couldn't laugh on cue. "Why didn't you tell me?" he said, and he had the scene adjusted accordingly ("Well, if they can't do it, they can't do it."). Otherwise, as you can see, he had tremendous respect for Stockwell's ability, and rightly so.Jim Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00981196894914646656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779097004556285780.post-87588308921028871222012-02-16T12:38:11.445-08:002012-02-16T12:38:11.445-08:00Hi, Jim, yours is a superb review of one of my all...Hi, Jim, yours is a superb review of one of my all time favourite movies. I agree with every word you say about this wonderful picture. I also agree with Henry Hathaway's opinion of Dean Stockwell. He was totally wonderful in this and his acting was so very moving. He was able to show real emotion, to cry convincingly on queu and to involve the audience in his performance, taking them with him all the way. I have the film on a Region 2 DVD released by Fox in Spain. It is the original English language version and a beautiful transfer. Only the DVD cover is in Spanish. For some reason, Fox have released a lot of their old movies on DVD in Spain, but not in the UK or US. <br /><br />David Rayner, <br />Stoke-on-Trent, <br />England,<br />UK.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779097004556285780.post-21192556944991900412012-01-03T22:18:34.339-08:002012-01-03T22:18:34.339-08:00I'm with you, Eve: Dean Stockwell's perfor...I'm with you, Eve: Dean Stockwell's performance in <i>The Secret Garden</i> is superb; I'd put it second to his job in <i>Down to the Sea</i> only because he's so thoroughly American playing an English boy. Even so, Hathaway's description ("Intense little guy.") was never more clearly illustrated. He's <i>amazingly</i> intense in <i>Garden</i>; the movie as a whole deserves to be better remembered.Jim Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00981196894914646656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779097004556285780.post-37601029249645668522012-01-03T21:56:42.125-08:002012-01-03T21:56:42.125-08:00I have not seen DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS - which i...I have not seen DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS - which is mystifying since I spent a good part of my childhood glued to the TV whenever an "old movie" aired. You certainly bring it to life here, Jim, and I'll make a point of seeking it out.<br /><br />Not too long ago I happened upon THE SECRET GARDEN on TCM. I'm referring to the 1949 version with Margaret O'Brien, Herbert Marshall, Gladys Cooper, Elsa Lanchester - and Dean Stockwell. I've seen the film many times and was not watching very closely this go 'round. However, at some point Dean Stockwell caught my attention and, as I watched, I was mesmerized by his superb performance. Margaret O'Brien was the star of the film, but she seemed strictly the 'child actor' next to Stockwell, whose performance was natural and unaffected, much more modern...The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779097004556285780.post-69981458018657004862011-12-24T23:38:03.757-08:002011-12-24T23:38:03.757-08:00Thanks, Dorian, for the holiday wishes; a Merry Ch...Thanks, Dorian, for the holiday wishes; a Merry Christmas to you, Vinnie, and yours as well, with a Happy New Year thrown in for good measure. <br /><br />By all means keep an eye out for <i>Down to the Sea</i> at FMC, but if you grow impatient, it's also available <a href="http://www.lovingtheclassics.com/Down-to-the-Sea-in-Ships-1949-DVD/prod_779.html" rel="nofollow">here</a> from Loving the Classics, in a quite-nice transfer (the pics on this post are all frame-caps from it).Jim Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00981196894914646656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779097004556285780.post-8691333003857139772011-12-24T16:05:20.899-08:002011-12-24T16:05:20.899-08:00Jim, I had heard of DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS (not ...Jim, I had heard of DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS (not the Clara Bow version :-)), but like apparently so many others, I never got a chance to watch it. Your stirring blog post really has be interested in seeing the film, especially with that great cast and crew! I loved your line about young Dean Stockwell: "...he seems even to grow taller as the story progresses (and it's all in his acting; the shooting schedule wasn't that protracted)." I'll keep an eye on the Fox Movie Channel to catch up with it!<br /><br />Jim, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours from all of us here at Team Bartilucci H.Q.!DorianTBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01357778472575080022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779097004556285780.post-80161700244941569402011-12-19T21:39:52.828-08:002011-12-19T21:39:52.828-08:00Now that film looks really beautiful. I shall keep...Now that film looks really beautiful. I shall keep my eyes open. You know, it's interesting to note how integral the wheelchair has become in Lionel Barrymore's legacy. Or, at least, I have yet to see him in a film where he was walking. I had no idea that it was a car accident that caused it. <br />Thanks for the tip--will be on the lookout.Will Blocknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779097004556285780.post-53521407368635590692011-12-16T14:10:37.814-08:002011-12-16T14:10:37.814-08:00Second time's the charm, Becky, and thanks for...Second time's the charm, Becky, and thanks for your comment. You're not the only one who's "missed this movie", so don't feel bad. But keep an eye peeled; you won't regret it!Jim Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00981196894914646656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779097004556285780.post-22391878394676453512011-12-16T03:50:35.885-08:002011-12-16T03:50:35.885-08:00Jim, I tried to leave a comment on this a while ba...Jim, I tried to leave a comment on this a while back, but it apparently didn't take. Computer problems - Aargh! How have I missed this movie? I love everybody in it, love movies about the sea -- you make it sound so good. Thanks for the heads up on what looks like a movie I would really like! I'll be looking for it...ClassicBeckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03591715859057540467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779097004556285780.post-80272569240458743112011-12-14T17:11:36.350-08:002011-12-14T17:11:36.350-08:00Thanks, Kevin! It's one of my favorites too, w...Thanks, Kevin! It's one of my favorites too, which is why I've reposted it. As CW's comment suggests, <i>Down to the Sea in Ships</i> inspired me; it's a great movie that everybody should know and love.Jim Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00981196894914646656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779097004556285780.post-26535869722634846532011-12-14T14:39:57.301-08:002011-12-14T14:39:57.301-08:00Jim, this is one of my favorite posts of yours. I ...Jim, this is one of my favorite posts of yours. I hope everyone gets a chance to read it.Kevin Deanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07697597405552599370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4779097004556285780.post-72881139725129194132011-12-12T05:15:02.183-08:002011-12-12T05:15:02.183-08:00"I know I run the risk of overselling the pro..."I know I run the risk of overselling the product here..."<br /><br />Impossible!<br /><br />A beautiful article on a beautiful movie whose glow never diminishes.<br /><br />As a girl I think I fell in love with Mister Lunceford. As an adult I am sure of it.Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.com